Integrated safety and motion control testing device

ABSTRACT

In accordance with some implementations of the described invention, a testing device is provided which includes a safety shield having one or more motion control cam tracks, wherein the cam tracks are configured to receive a cam follower that is connected to a mounting member onto which is mounted one or more testing modules. The testing modules perform specific functions for testing a sample product. The mounting member is moved within the safety shield as the cam follower tracks within the motion control cam tracks. In such implementations, the mounting member is further connected to two or more hydraulic cylinders or other actuators which are configured to move the mounting member to various positions within an x-axis and a y-axis. The integrated safety and motion control features of the safety shield provide precise, repeatable movement of the mounting member while preventing injuring to a user. Other implementations are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/951,741, filed Jul. 26, 2013, and entitled “INTEGRATED SAFETY ANDMOTION CONTROL TESTING DEVICE”, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/676,234, filed Jul. 26, 2012,and entitled “INTEGRATED SAFETY AND MOTION CONTROL TESTING DEVICE;” theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to testing devices. In particular, someimplementations of the present invention relate to a testing device thatis configured to remove a cap from a sample product or device (such asan IV line), test the sample product for leaks or for anothercharacteristic, and to then replace the cap on the device. While thetesting device can include any suitable component that allows it tofunction as described, in some implementations, it includes a safetyshield which acts as an anti-pinch guard, and which also includes one ormore motion control cam tracks that are configured to control movementof one or more testing modules encased within the shield. Accordingly,in some such implementations, the safety shield is able to performmultiple functions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linearmotion control apparatus.

2. Background and Related Art

Quality control is a process by which entities review the quality of avariety of factors involved in production, and, in some instances, inwhich products are tested to discover defects which may affect therelease of a product for sale or distribution. While quality controlprocedures for products can test for a wide variety of aspects orfeatures of a product, some quality control procedures include productinspection, where a product is examined visually to detect defects, suchas cracks, malformations, or surface blemishes.

Some defects are unable to be detected visually. Accordingly, someautomated testing modules have been designed and customized to testvarious parameters of a product. In this regard, automated testing unitsoften incorporate a number of moving parts and elaborate mechanismsdesigned to move sample products or devices through the testing unit.These moving parts often present pinching hazards to the user. Safetyshields may be added by the user to reduce these hazards. Generally,however, a user must identify the pinching hazards and construct asafety shield which provides protection and does not impinge on themovements of the various components of the automated testing unit. Thisprocess often results in a bulky, ill-suited safety shield. Further,this process generally results in increased costs to the user, whichcosts may deter the user from providing a safety shield.

Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used in quality controltesting systems, challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be animprovement in the art to augment or even replace current techniqueswith other techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to testing devices. In particular, someimplementations of the present invention relate to a testing device thatis configured to remove a cap from a sample product (such as an IVline), test the sample product for leaks or for another characteristic,and to then replace the cap on the device. While the testing device caninclude any suitable component that allows it to function as described,in some implementations, it includes a safety shield which acts as ananti-pinch guard, and which also includes one or more motion control camtracks that are configured to control movement of one or more testingmodules encased within the shield. Accordingly, in some suchimplementations, the safety shield is able to perform multiplefunctions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linear motioncontrol apparatus.

Some implementations of the present invention provide a testing devicehaving a base to which is mounted a sample adapter. The sample adapteris configured to receive a sample product or device for testing. Thetesting device further includes a mounting member which is coupled to afirst and second actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder), wherein the secondactuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder) is further coupled to the base. Themounting member further includes a plurality of testing modules whichare configured to contact the sample product and perform one or moretesting functions as part of a testing procedure. Further still, themounting member includes one or more cam followers.

The testing device further includes a safety shield having one or moremotion control cam tracks comprising a groove or channel formed on aninner surface. The motion control cam tracks are configured tocompatibly receive the one or more cam followers of the mounting member.The motion control cam tracks limit or control the movement of themounting member through the interior space of the safety shield. In someinstances, the first or second actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder)further include one or more cam followers which are configured to ridewithin an additional motion control cam track provided on an innersurface of the safety shield. Thus, the present invention provides asafety shield having an integrated, bi-directional system of motioncontrol cam tracks to provide precise, repeatable, and safe movement ofa mounting member as part of a sample product testing device.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beset forth or will become more fully apparent in the description thatfollows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practiceof the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other featuresand advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of thepresent invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limitingthe scope of the invention, the present invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a representative computer system suitable for use withembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a representative networked computer system suitable for usewith embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a sample testing device havinga shield comprising various motion control cam tracks in accordance witha representative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded perspective view of a representativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C illustrates a front, cross-sectional view of a shield comprisingvarious motion control cam tracks in accordance with a representativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4, shown in parts A through E, illustrates multiple plan side viewsof a sample product testing device undergoing a method or procedure fortesting a sample product in accordance with a representative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded, perspective view of a representativeembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a plan side view of an alternative configuration of asample testing device in accordance with a representative embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to testing devices. In particular, someimplementations of the present invention relate to a testing device thatis configured to remove a cap from a sample product (such as an IVline), test the sample product for leaks or for another characteristic,and to then replace the cap on the device. While the testing device caninclude any suitable component that allows it to function as described,in some implementations, it includes a safety shield which acts as ananti-pinch guard, and which also includes one or more motion control camtracks that are configured to control movement of one or more testingmodules encased within the shield. Accordingly, in some suchimplementations, the safety shield is able to perform multiplefunctions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linear motioncontrol apparatus.

In general, embodiments of the present invention take place inassociation with a device having moving parts for which a safety shieldis needed to protect a user from injury. Some embodiments of the presentinvention further take place in association with a device that requiresprecise and repeatable movements of one or more components in order tosuccessfully test various parameters of a sample product. In thisregard, the sample product can comprise virtually any sample productthat can be tested with the described device, including, withoutlimitation, one or more IV lines, IV connectors, connectors, valves,syringes, caps, bag spikes, bags, containers, tubes, and/or otherdevices that can be tested for leaks, pressure decay, vacuum decay, massflow, occlusion, burst pressure, valve cracking, air pressure, and/or avariety of other features.

In at least one embodiment, the present invention comprises a samplemounting member, which is configured to secure a sample product fortesting. In some embodiments, the testing device further includes amounting member onto which is mounted at least two testing modules. Insome such embodiments, the testing device moves the modules to variouspositions relative to the sample product by moving the mounting memberthrough the use of at least two actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders).While the precise movement and tracking of the mounting member can beachieved in any suitable manner, in some instances it is achieved via aninteraction between a cam follower coupled to the mounting member, and amotion control cam track provided on the safety shield (or anothersuitable object). Additionally, in some instances, the precise movementof the mounting member is further achieved via an interaction between asecond cam follower coupled to one of the actuators (e.g., hydrauliccylinders), and a second motion control cam track provided on the safetyshield (or another suitable object). Each of these features is describedbelow in more detail.

Further embodiments of the present invention include a computer device(e.g., a controller or another computer device) that is operativelycoupled to the actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders) and the testingmodules. The computer system controls the timing and movement of theactuators and coordinates these movements with the performance ofactivities by the testing modules. The computer system further receivesand analyzes data from the testing modules, as may be desired.Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention further comprisea computer software program having computer executable instructions forperforming desired movements of the testing modules within the testingdevice. Some embodiments further include a computer device whichcontrols various hardware components that are necessary to achieve themovement and functions of the actuators and the testing modules. Forexample, a computer device may be provided having hydraulic pumps,vacuum pumps, a power source, and/or any other suitable component.

FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion are intended to provide ageneral description of a suitable operating environment in whichembodiments of the invention may be implemented. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that embodiments of the invention may be practiced byone or more computing devices and in a variety of system configurations,including in a networked configuration. However, while the methods andprocesses of the present invention have proven to be particularly usefulin association with a system comprising a general purpose computer,embodiments of the present invention include utilization of the methodsand processes in a variety of environments, including embedded systemswith general purpose processing units, digital/media signal processors(DSP/MSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), stand-aloneelectronic devices, and other such electronic environments.

Embodiments of the present invention embrace one or morecomputer-readable media, wherein each medium may be configured toinclude or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions formanipulating data. The computer executable instructions include datastructures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules thatmay be accessed by a processing system, such as one associated with ageneral-purpose computer capable of performing various differentfunctions or one associated with a special-purpose computer capable ofperforming a limited number of functions. Computer executableinstructions cause the processing system to perform a particularfunction or group of functions and are examples of program code meansfor implementing steps for methods disclosed herein. Furthermore, aparticular sequence of the executable instructions provides an exampleof corresponding acts that may be used to implement such steps. Examplesof computer-readable media include random-access memory (“RAM”),read-only memory (“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”),erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory(“CD-ROM”), or any other device or component that is capable ofproviding data or executable instructions that may be accessed by aprocessing system. While embodiments of the invention embrace the use ofall types of computer-readable media, certain embodiments as recited inthe claims may be limited to the use of tangible, non-transitorycomputer-readable media, and the phrases “tangible computer-readablemedium” and “non-transitory computer-readable medium” (or pluralvariations) used herein are intended to exclude transitory propagatingsignals per se.

With reference to FIG. 1, a representative system for implementingembodiments of the invention includes computer device 10, which may be ageneral-purpose or special-purpose computer or any of a variety ofconsumer electronic devices. For example, computer device 10 may be apersonal computer, a notebook computer, a netbook, a tablet computersuch as the iPad® manufactured by Apple or any of a variety ofAndriod™-based tablet computers produced by multiple manufacturers, apersonal digital assistant (“PDA”) or other hand-held device, aworkstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe, a supercomputer, amulti-processor system, a network computer, a processor-based consumerelectronic device, or the like.

Computer device 10 includes system bus 12, which may be configured toconnect various components thereof and enables data to be exchangedbetween two or more components. System bus 12 may include one of avariety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of busarchitectures. Typical components connected by system bus 12 includeprocessing system 14 and memory 16. Other components may include one ormore mass storage device interfaces 18, input interfaces 20, outputinterfaces 22, and/or network interfaces 24, each of which will bediscussed below.

Processing system 14 includes one or more processors, such as a centralprocessor and optionally one or more other processors designed toperform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system14 that executes the instructions provided on computer-readable media,such as on memory 16, a solid-state drive, a flash drive, a magnetichard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, an opticaldisk, or from a communication connection, which may also be viewed as acomputer-readable medium.

Memory 16 includes one or more computer-readable media that may beconfigured to include or includes thereon data or instructions formanipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 14 throughsystem bus 12. Memory 16 may include, for example, ROM 28, used topermanently store information, and/or RAM 30, used to temporarily storeinformation. ROM 28 may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”)having one or more routines that are used to establish communication,such as during start-up of computer device 10. RAM 30 may include one ormore program modules, such as one or more operating systems, applicationprograms, and/or program data.

One or more mass storage device interfaces 18 may be used to connect oneor more mass storage devices 26 to system bus 12. The mass storagedevices 26 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to computerdevice 10 and allow computer device 10 to retain large amounts of data.Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 26 may be removablefrom computer device 10. Examples of mass storage devices includesolid-state drives, flash drives, hard disk drives, magnetic diskdrives, tape drives and optical disk drives. A mass storage device 26may read from and/or write to a magnetic hard disk, a removable magneticdisk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or another computer-readablemedium. Mass storage devices 26 and their correspondingcomputer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data and/orexecutable instructions that may include one or more program modulessuch as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, or program data. Such executable instructions areexamples of program code means for implementing steps for methodsdisclosed herein.

One or more input interfaces 20 may be employed to enable a user toenter data and/or instructions to computer device 10 through one or morecorresponding input devices 32. Examples of such input devices include akeyboard and alternate input devices, such as a mouse, trackball, touchscreen, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, a microphone, ajoystick, a game pad, a satellite dish, a scanner, a camcorder, adigital camera, and the like. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 20that may be used to connect the input devices 32 to the system bus 12include a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serialbus (“USB”), an integrated circuit, a Firewire® (IEEE 1394), or anotherinterface. For example, in some embodiments input interface 20 includesan application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is designed for aparticular application. In a further embodiment, the ASIC is embeddedand connects existing circuit building blocks.

One or more output interfaces 22 may be employed to connect one or morecorresponding output devices 34 to system bus 12. Examples of outputdevices include a monitor or display screen or other electronic display,a speaker, a printer, a multi-functional peripheral, and the like. Aparticular output device 34 may be integrated with or peripheral tocomputer device 10. Examples of output interfaces include a videoadapter, an audio adapter, a parallel port, and the like. Examples ofelectronic displays include monitors, televisions, e-ink displays,projection displays, or any other display capable of displaying changinginformation under the control of a computer device.

One or more network interfaces 24 enable computer device 10 to exchangeinformation with one or more other local or remote computer devices,illustrated as computer devices 36, via a network 38 that may includehardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of network interfaces includea network adapter for connection to a local area network (“LAN”) or amodem, wireless link, or other adapter for connection to a wide areanetwork (“WAN”), such as the Internet. The network interface 24 may beincorporated with or peripheral to computer device 10. In a networkedsystem, accessible program modules or portions thereof may be stored ina remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in a networked systemcomputer device 10 may participate in a distributed computingenvironment, such as a cloud-based computer environment, where functionsor tasks are performed by a plurality of networked computer devices.

Thus, while those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments ofthe present invention may be practiced in a variety of differentenvironments with many types of system configurations, FIG. 2 provides arepresentative networked system configuration that may be used inassociation with embodiments of the present invention. Therepresentative system of FIG. 2 includes a computer device, illustratedas client 40, which is connected to one or more other computer devices(illustrated as client 42 and client 44) and one or more peripheraldevices (illustrated as multifunctional peripheral (MFP) MFP 46) acrossnetwork 38. While FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment that includes aclient 40, two additional clients, client 42 and client 44, oneperipheral device, MFP 46, and optionally a server 48, which may be aprint server, connected to network 38, alternative embodiments includemore or fewer clients, more than one peripheral device, no peripheraldevices, no server 48, and/or more than one server 48 connected tonetwork 38. Other embodiments of the present invention include local,networked, or peer-to-peer environments where one or more computerdevices may be connected to one or more local or remote peripheraldevices. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with the present inventionalso embrace a single electronic consumer device, wireless networkedenvironments, and/or wide area networked environments, such as theInternet.

Similarly, embodiments of the invention embrace cloud-basedarchitectures where one or more computer functions are performed byremote computer systems and devices at the request of a local computerdevice. Thus, returning to FIG. 2, the client 40 may be a computerdevice having a limited set of hardware and/or software resources.Because the client 40 is connected to the network 38, it may be able toaccess hardware and/or software resources provided across the network 38by other computer devices and resources, such as client 42, client 44,server 48, or any other resources. The client 40 may access theseresources through an access program, such as a web browser, and theresults of any computer functions or resources may be delivered throughthe access program to the user of the client 40. In such configurations,the client 40 may be any type of computer device or electronic devicediscussed above or known to the world of cloud computing, includingtraditional desktop and laptop computers, smart phones, and other smartdevices, tablet computers, or any other device able to provide access toremote computing resources through an access program, such as a browser.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a perspective view of a representativeembodiment of a testing device 100 is shown. As shown in FIG. 3A, someembodiments of testing device 100 includes a base 102 that is configuredto support the testing device on a planar surface, such as a tablesurface or a floor. In some embodiments, testing device 100 furtherincludes a sample mounting member 110 that is coupled to base 102. Whilesample mounting member 110 can be connected to base 102 in any suitablemanner, in some embodiments, sample mounting member 110 is attached tobase 102 via one or more risers. In other embodiments, sample mountingmember 110 comprises a portion of base 102.

In some implementations, sample mounting member 110 further comprisesone or more nests or sample adapters 120. Sample adapters 120 mayinclude any size, shape, or configuration necessary to support a sampleproduct (or device) 122 in a desired configuration. In some embodiments,however, sample adapter 120 comprises a cage, recess, catch, basket,and/or other shape having an opening into (or a surface onto) which isinserted (or placed) a sample product 122 for testing. Generally, sampleadapter 120 is configured to secure and retain a position of sampleproduct 122 during a testing procedure. Sample adapter 120 may furthercomprise a portion of an automated sample testing system, wherein sampleadapter 120 automatically accepts, secures, tests, and ejects sampleproduct 122 as part of a testing procedure.

While the placement of sample adapters 120 on sample mounting member 110can include any suitable configuration, in some embodiments, suchplacement is largely dependent upon the configuration of sample product122, as well as the placement and location of the testing modules 130 oftesting device 100. In some embodiments, testing device 100 furthercomprises a testing module mounting member 140 that is configured to bepositioned adjacent to sample mounting member 110. Although testingmodule mounting member 140 can comprise any suitable characteristic, insome embodiments, it comprises a proximal surface on which is mountedone or more testing modules 130. The precise position of testing modules130 is such that testing modules 130 may contact and/or interact withsample product 122 when secured in sample adapter 120. In someembodiments, mounting member 140 comprises a first testing module 132and a second testing module 134, wherein mounting member 140 is movedbetween a first position and a second position, such that the firstposition results in contact between sample product 122 and first testingmodule 132, and the second position results in contact between samplingdevice 122 and second testing module 134. In other embodiments, mountingmember 140 further comprises a second set of testing modules, whereinthe first and second positions of mounting member 140 result in contactbetween a second sample product and the second set of testing modules.

In some implementations, testing device 100 optionally comprises a shelf106 which is attached to base 102 via a stanchion 108 (or in any ofsuitable manner). While shelf 106 can perform any suitable function, insome embodiments, it is configured to support a tester 180. In thisregard, tester 180 may include any suitable device or combination ofdevices which are capable of controlling the functions of the varioustesting modules 130, collecting test data, and/or processing collecteddata from a testing procedure. In some embodiments, however, tester 180comprises a display screen 182 on which results from a testing procedureare displayed. Tester 180 may further include hardware and software toactuate one or more actuators (see FIGS. 4A-5, below) which areconfigured to control the motion and position of mounting member 140 inrelation to sample product 122. In some embodiments, tester 180 furthercomprises a computer device 10 (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2), which iscapable of performing multiple functions as part of a testing procedure.

In some embodiments, testing device 100 further comprises a safetyshield 150. While safety shield 150 can be connected to testing device100 in any suitable manner, in some embodiments, safety shield 150 iscoupled to base 102 via a block 104, and is further coupled to samplemounting member 110. Additionally, while safety shield 150 can compriseany suitable material, in some embodiments, it comprises a shatterresistant material, such as a polycarbonate, polymer, and/or othersuitable material that is clear or translucent. Indeed, in someembodiments, safety shield 150 comprises Lexan®. In still otherembodiments, safety shield 150 comprises an opaque material.

In some embodiments, safety shield 150 comprises a first side shield152, a second side shield 154, a top shield 156, and/or an access door158. Some embodiments of the present invention optionally include a backshield (not shown), or may exclude one or more shield surfaces, asdesired. Safety shield 150 is provided as a physical barrier between theuser and various moving parts encased within safety shield 150 (e.g.,testing module mounting member 140). As such, safety shield 150 canprevent harmful contact between the user and moving parts of testingdevice 100.

In some embodiments, access door 158 is pivotally attached to first andsecond side shields 152 and 154 (or to any other suitable object) suchthat access door 158 is pivotable to an opened position, therebyallowing the user to access testing modules 130 and various other partsand/or components encased within safety shield 150. In some embodiments,a bottom edge of access door 158 is further configured to interact withsample adapter 120 and sample product 122, such that access door 158assists in maintaining the position of sample product 122 in sampleadapter 120 during the testing procedure. Accordingly (in suchembodiments), following the testing procedure, access door 158 ispivoted to an opened position thereby releasing sample product 122 fromsample adapter 120.

In some embodiments, access door 158 optionally includes a switch (e.g.,a magnetic switch, a pressure-activated switch, and/or any othersuitable switch) (not shown) which is coupled to tester 180. In somesuch embodiments, the switch (e.g., a magnetic switch) is activated uponpivoting access door 158 to a closed position. Prior to activation, thevarious moving components within safety shield 150 are prevented frommoving. However, once the switch is activated, the testing procedure maycommence without the risk of injury to the user.

Testing device 100 can comprise any suitable device that allows testingmodule mounting member 140 to move between its first and secondposition. Indeed, in some embodiments, testing device 100 comprises oneor more cam track, rails, guides, tracks, grooves and followers, and/orother suitable components that allows testing module mounting member torepeatably move between its first and section positions. In someembodiments, however, safety shield 150 further comprises one or moremotion control cam tracks 160. While such motion control cam tracks 160can stand alone or be attached to any suitable object, in someembodiments, motion control cam tracks 160 generally comprise grooves orchannels that are created within the wall thickness of first and secondside shields 152 and 154. Indeed, in some embodiments, motion controlcam tracks 160 comprise channels formed on an inner surface of first andsecond side shields 152 and 154 of safety shield 150. Motion control camtracks 160 may include any suitable shape, size, length, width, depth,and/or configuration as may be desired.

In some embodiments in which testing device 100 comprises motion controlcam tracks 160, the cam tracks are configured to receive one or more camfollowers 170 which are attached to testing module mounting member 140.In some such embodiments, cam followers 170 are configured to movewithin motion control cam tracks 160, thereby guiding or controlling themovement of mounting member 140 within (or with respect to) safetyshield 150. In some embodiments, additional cam followers 172 areattached to an actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic actuator,electric actuator, mechanical actuator, roller screw, linear actuator,etc.), whereby the additional cam followers 172 ride within a secondmotion control cam track 162 thereby controlling the vertical movementof the actuator (e.g., hydraulic cylinder) within safety shield 150, aswill be discussed in detail below. Accordingly, in some embodiments, theconfiguration of motion control cam tracks 160 and 162 determines thecontrolled path which mounting member 140 and the actuator (e.g.,hydraulic cylinder) travel within safety shield 150. The interactionbetween cam followers 170 and 172, and their respective motion controlcam tracks 160 and 162 provides precise and repeatable movement of therespective component within safety shield 150. Further, in someembodiments in which motion control cam tracks are defined within firstand second side 152 and 154 of safety shield 150, the placement of camfollowers 170 and 172 within motion control cam tracks 160 and 162prevents the user from being injured due to contacting cam followers 170and 172 during a testing procedure.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3C, in some embodiments, motioncontrol cam track 160 optionally comprises a bi-directional cam having aC-shaped configuration, wherein the C-shape comprises an uppersubstantially horizontal channel 164 interconnected to a lowersubstantially horizontal channel 166 via a substantially verticalchannel 168. In some such embodiments, motion control cam track 160 isconfigured such that upper and lower horizontal channels 164 and 166control forward and backward motion of mounting member 140 within safetyshield 150. Additionally, in some such embodiments, vertical channel 168of motion control cam track 160 is configured to control upward anddownward motion of mounting member 140 within safety shield 150.

In some embodiments, the length of vertical channel 168 is selected suchthat upper horizontal channel 164 is spaced from lower horizontalchannel 166 at a distance 174. In some such embodiments, distance 174 isselected such that first testing module 132 (e.g., a testing portion ofthe module) is vertically centered on a horizontal plane 176 when camfollower 170 is located in lower horizontal channel 166, and secondtesting module 134 (e.g., a testing portion of the module) ishorizontally centered on vertical plane 176 when cam follower 170 islocated in upper horizontal channel 164. Thus, in some embodiments,sample product 122 is positioned in sample adapter 120 such that aportion of sample product 122 that is intended to contact testingmodules 130 is centered on horizontal plane 176. Further, in someembodiments, testing modules 130 are positioned on mounting member 140such that testing modules 130 are horizontally centered on verticalplane 178. Accordingly, in some embodiments, sample adapter 120 ispositioned on sample mounting member 110 such that the portion of sampleproduct 122 that is intended to contact testing module 130 is furthercentered on vertical plane 178 when sample product 122 is secured withinsample adapter 120.

In some embodiments, testing device 100 is configured to test a singlesample product 122. In other embodiments, testing device 100 isconfigured to simultaneously (and/or serially) test multiple sampleproducts 122. Accordingly, one having skill in the art will appreciatethat the present invention may be scaled and/or adjusted as desired totest any number of sample products as part of a testing procedure.Further, one having skill in the art will appreciate that mountingmember 140 may include any number and/or configuration of testingmodules 130. Additionally, the present invention may include any number,size, length, and/or configuration of motion control cam tracks 160 and162 as may be necessary to achieve contact between the testing modules130 and the sample products 122.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4E, a schematic side view of a representativeembodiment of testing device 100 is shown at various steps through arepresentative embodiment of a testing procedure. As mentionedpreviously, in some embodiments, testing device 100 comprises a testingmodule mounting member 140 having a cam follower 170 that is positionedand travels within motion control cam track 160. Additionally, asmentioned above, testing device 100 comprises two or more actuators.While such actuators can comprise any suitable actuators, in someembodiments, the actuators each comprise a hydraulic cylinder. Forsimplicity, the following discussion focuses on embodiments comprisinghydraulic cylinders, though any other suitable actuator may also beused. Thus, in accordance with at least some embodiments, FIG. 4A showstesting device 100 comprises a first actuator or hydraulic cylinder 142which is positioned within safety shield 150 such that a portion (e.g.,piston) of first hydraulic cylinder 142 moves in a substantiallyhorizontal plane, in an x-axis, and/or in any other suitable firstplane. In some such embodiments, a portion (e.g., piston) of firsthydraulic cylinder 142 is attached to mounting member 140, therebyfacilitating movement of mounting member 140 in the first plane (e.g.,x-axis). In some implementations, first hydraulic cylinder 142 furthercomprises a pair of cam followers 172 which are positioned on a baseportion of first hydraulic cylinder 142. In some embodiments, the pairof cam followers 172 comprises a portion of a mounting member to which abase portion of first hydraulic cylinder 142 is attached. In some suchembodiments, the pair of cam followers 172 is configured to ride withinmotion control cam track 162 in a vertical plane, in a y-axis, and/or inany other suitable second plane (e.g., a plane that runs substantiallyperpendicular to the first plane). In some embodiments, the pair of camfollowers 172 further prevents first hydraulic cylinder 142 (or firstactuator) from sagging while traveling along the y-axis (or secondplane).

In accordance with some implementations of the present invention, firsthydraulic cylinder 142 (or another first actuator) is moved along they-axis (or another second plane) by a second hydraulic cylinder 144 (orsecond actuator) which is positioned within safety shield 150 such thata piston (or other suitable portion) of second hydraulic cylinder 144moves in a vertical plane, or in a y-axis. The piston (or anothersuitable portion) of second hydraulic cylinder 144 is attached to atleast one of the base of first hydraulic cylinder 142, a plate to whichthe base of first hydraulic cylinder 142 is attached, and/or to anothersuitable object. In some embodiments, the base of second hydrauliccylinder 144 is optionally secured to the underside of shelf 106.

In some implementations, the position of mounting member 140 along thex-axis and y-axis is a function of the combined actuations of first andsecond hydraulic cylinders 142 and 144. Accordingly, in someembodiments, testing device 100 further comprises a computer softwareprogram comprising computer executable instructions for actuating thefirst and second hydraulic cylinders 142 and 144 to initiate contactbetween the sample product 122 and the first and second testing modules132 and 134. The computer software program may further include computerexecutable instructions for executing various analytical or testingfunctions of the testing modules as part of a testing procedure. Indeed,in some embodiments, a computer software program comprises computerexecutable instructions for removing a cap from a sample product,performing a testing function (such as performing a leak, occlusion,and/or flow test on the uncapped sample product), and recapping thesample product.

Testing device 100 may include a first testing module 132 configured toperform a first testing function, and further include a second testingmodule 134 configured to perform a second testing function. Indeed, insome embodiments a first testing device 132 comprises a radial sealingdevice having a hole 136 which is configured to receive, remove, andtemporarily retain a cap 124 of sample product 122. Prior to removingcap 124, first and second hydraulic cylinders 142 and 144 are actuatedto positioned cam follower 170 in the backward or distal position oflower horizontal channel 166, as shown in FIG. 4A. Cap 124 is removedfrom sample product 122 as first hydraulic cylinder 142 is actuated,thereby moving cam follower 170 and base plate 140 along the x-axis inproximal direction 190, to the position shown in FIG. 4B.

The position shown in FIG. 4B results in cap 124 of sample product 122being positioned within hole 136 of first testing module 132. In someembodiments, first testing module 132 comprises a radial sealing devicehaving an annular seal which contacts the outer surface of cap 124thereby temporarily securing and retaining cap 124 within hole 136. Cap124 is removed from sample product 122 as the piston of first hydrauliccylinder 142 is retracted in a backward or distal direction 192 alongthe x-axis, to the position shown in FIG. 4C.

In some embodiments, the position shown in FIG. 4C completes the removalof cap 124 from sample product 122. In such embodiments, mounting member140 is then moved in an upward direction 194 along the y-axis as thepiston of second hydraulic cylinder 144 is retracted. Cam followers 172ride within motion control cam track 162 to reposition cam follower 170within vertical channel 168. In some embodiments, the length of motioncontrol cam track 162 is configured such that the maximum upwardmovement of cam followers 172 moves cam follower 170 from lowerhorizontal channel 166 to upper horizontal channel 164. In otherembodiments, the travel distance of cam followers 172 within motioncontrol cam track 162 is controlled by tester 180, or another computerdevice. Cam followers 172 are moved within motion control cam track 162such that cam follower 170 travels through vertical channel 168 to theposition shown in FIG. 4D.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, the position of cam follower 170 on mountingblock 140 is selected such that when cam follower 170 is positionedwithin upper horizontal channel 166, an opening or hole of testingmodule 134 is an axial alignment with the uncapped portion of sampleproduct 122. In some embodiments, motion control cam track 160 comprisesthree or more horizontal channels (not shown) interconnected by anextended vertical channel 168, wherein each of the horizontal channelsare spaced to facilitate interaction between sample product 122 and arespective testing module mounted to mounting member 140.

Referring now to FIG. 4E, that figures shows that, in some embodiments,testing module 134 is brought into contact with the uncapped portion ofsample product 122 as the piston of first hydraulic cylinder 142 isextended in proximal direction 190. Testing module 134 may then undergoa testing procedure. In this regard, in some embodiments, testing module134 comprises a radial sealing device which is connected to a vacuumpump via a vacuum line. Testing module 134 further comprises a gasketwhich forms a seal around the uncapped portion of sample product 122.Once a seal has been established between testing module 134 and sampleproduct 122, a vacuum is applied to sample product 122 to check forleaks. Data related to testing modules 132 and 134 is received by tester180 for further analysis and processing.

Following completion of some embodiments of the testing procedure,sample product 122 is recapped by reversing the steps shown in FIGS.4A-4E. Testing of additional sample products may be achieved byreplacing sample product 122 with a new sample product. In someembodiments, sample mounting member 110 comprises a plurality of sampleadapters 120, wherein sample product 122 is sequentially placed in eachof the sample adapters to undergo additional testing. Testing device 100may further comprise a plurality of different sample adapters, whereineach sample adapter is configured to receive and retain a differentsample product for testing.

In some embodiments, testing modules 132 and 134 further comprise anadjustable photo-electric barrel sensor that is provided to detect thepresence of cap 124 and/or an uncapped portion of sample product 122.This sensor may be useful in signaling or monitoring the progress oftesting modules 132 and/or 134 during a testing procedure. For example,the adjustable photo-electric barrel sensor may send a signal to tester180 following detection and capture of cap 124. Tester 180 may then sendinstructions to first and second hydraulic cylinders 142 and 144 to movemounting member 140 to a second position wherein the uncapped sampleproduct is further tested. The sensors may further indicate completionof the testing procedure, wherein the sensor senses when the cap is nolonger secured within testing module 132. The photo-electric barrelsensor may further detect and report an error, whereupon the testingprocedure is stopped and an alert is generated. Testing device 100 mayfurther include various other sensors to assist in coordinating themovement of mounting member 140 and in detecting the progress and errorsduring a testing procedure.

Testing device 100 may include any structural configuration or setup inaccordance with the underlying teachings of the present invention.Indeed, in some embodiments, a testing device is provided which does notinclude an onboard tester. Additionally, FIG. 5 shows that, in someembodiments, second hydraulic cylinder 144 is mounted to base 102.Hydraulic lines 146 and data/vacuum lines 148 are routed to externaldevices, such as an off-site tester, a hydraulic pump, a power source,and a vacuum pump. One having skill in the art will appreciate that theconfiguration shown in FIG. 5 may be modified in any number ofalternative configurations to achieve bi-directional movement ofmounting member 140 within safety shield 150.

In still other embodiments, testing device 100 can comprise any suitablenumber of testing modules 130 that can be useful in testing a sampleproduct 122. Indeed, instead of simply comprising first and secondtesting modules 132 and 134 to test a single sample product 122, someembodiments of the testing device 100 comprise 3, 4, or more testingmodules configured to be used in the testing of a single product sample.In such embodiments, cam track 160 can comprise any suitable number ofchannels (e.g., channel for each testing module) in the first plane(e.g., horizontal channels).

In still other embodiments, instead of moving testing module mountingmember 140 bi-directionally along a y-axis and an x-axis, some otherembodiments of testing device 100 are configured with testing modulemounting member 140 being moved bi-directionally along a z-axis and thex-axis (e.g., cam tracks 160 are disposed on top shield 156 and a base102 of testing device, testing device 100 is placed on its side, etc.).

In yet other embodiments, instead of maintaining sample product 122 in astationary position while first and second testing modules 132 and 134are moved, in other embodiments, testing device 100 is configured tomove sample product 122 while keeping testing modules 132 and 134stationary (e.g., testing modules 132 and 134 are disposed on sampletesting plate and sample adapter 120 is disposed on testing modulemounting member 140).

In still other embodiments, instead of using first testing module 132 toremove cap 124 from sample product 122, second testing module 134 isconfigured to remove cap 124. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG.6 illustrates such an embodiment.

Thus, the present invention relates to testing devices. In particular,some implementations of the present invention relate to a testing devicethat is configured to remove a cap from a sample product or device (suchas an IV line), test the sample product for leaks or for anothercharacteristic, and to then replace the cap on the device. While thetesting device can include any suitable component that allows it tofunction as described, in some implementations, it includes a safetyshield which acts as an anti-pinch guard, and which also includes one ormore motion control cam tracks that are configured to control movementof one or more testing modules encased within the shield. Accordingly,in some such implementations, the safety shield is able to performmultiple functions, acting both as a safety apparatus and as a linearmotion control apparatus.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A testing device, comprising: a base; a sampleadapter coupled to the base; a mounting member coupled to a firsthydraulic cylinder, the first hydraulic cylinder being mounted to asecond hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder being fixedlycoupled to the base; a first testing module coupled to the mountingmember at a first position; a second testing module coupled to themounting member at a second position; a first cam follower coupled tothe mounting member; a second cam follower coupled to the firsthydraulic cylinder; a safety shield coupled to the base, the shieldhaving a first motion control cam track configured to receive the firstcam follower, and further comprising a second motion control cam trackconfigured to receive the second cam follower, wherein the first motioncontrol cam track controls a motion of the first cam follower in anx-axis and a y-axis, and wherein the second motion control cam trackcontrols a motion of the second cam follower in the y-axis.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the first and second motion control camtracks comprise a channel formed in an inner surface of the safetyshield.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the safety shield comprises anaccess door and wherein the device is configured to automatically starta testing procedure when the access door is closed.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first motion control cam track comprises an upperhorizontal channel interconnected to a lower horizontal channel via avertical channel.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first testingmodule is configured to remove a cap from the sample product and whereinthe second testing module is configured to conduct a test on the sampleproduct, wherein the test is selected from a leak test, an occlusiontest, a pressure decay test, a vacuum decay test, a mass flow test, aburst pressure test, and a valve cracking test on the sample product.